Murdo Supports British Heart Foundation in Scottish Parliament

Across Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire there are nearly 85,000 people living with heart and circulatory disease.

Last week Murdo Fraser MSP showed his support for these people at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland parliamentary exhibition.

This exhibition was an opportunity to learn more about the number of local people affected by heart disease in Mid-Scotland and Fife and to find out how BHF Scotland is helping to save and improve the lives of people affected by heart and circulatory disease.

“There are nearly 16,000 stroke survivors and almost 6,000 people have suffered a heart failure across Mid-Scotland and Fife. These problems are exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyle and diet choices, with 146,000 people now classed as obese and a further 101,000 with high blood pressure. It’s time for us all to take a serious look at our own health and what we can do to best prevent heart disease in the future.

“However, it’s vital that research is conducted into preventing, diagnosing and treating heart disease. It is here where we need to support the British Heart Foundation who are funding vital research and providing important support for those suffering and affected by heart and circulatory disease issues.”

James Cant, Director of BHF Scotland, said: “Coronary heart disease is still our single biggest killer, and these figures show that there is no part of the country that is untouched by heart and circulatory disease. That’s why we’re currently investing £63 million in research in Scotland. Since 1961 we’ve helped halve the number of Scots dying from heart and circulatory disease. Now, we’re hoping to break new ground, create new treatments and discover new cures. One day, we’ll beat heart disease for good.

“We were delighted to meet Murdo at the Scottish Parliament, and share this important information about the risk factors in Mid-Scotland and Fife and the numbers of people affected by these devastating conditions that can strike unexpectedly, tearing families apart without warning. Thanks to BHF research, we can offer them hope for the future.”